Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 21769 — Middletown, MD

ZIP code 21769 (Middletown, Frederick County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 21769 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 2

First frostNov 6

2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Middletown, MD…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Middletown, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Frederick Police Brks, MD — 7 miles away, elevation 381 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 21769

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 6) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 21769 came on Mar 12 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

average
Mar 212026
Mar 12

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7a in Maryland

612 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Middletown, MD.

Soil in Middletown, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21769 is Spoolsville — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Spoolsville-Burkittsville complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 21769; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Middletown, MD

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,174base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Frederick Police Brks, MD (7 mi away); precipitation: Middletown 1.8 Nne, MD (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

217147b

Braddock Heights, MD · 4 mi

217187a

Burkittsville, MD · 5 mi

217797a

Rohrersville, MD · 5 mi

217557b

Jefferson, MD · 6 mi

217157a

Brownsville, MD · 7 mi

217567a

Keedysville, MD · 7 mi

217737a

Myersville, MD · 7 mi

217027a

Frederick, MD · 7 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21769

What planting zone is ZIP code 21769?

ZIP code 21769 (Middletown, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Middletown, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21769 is April 2; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frederick Police Brks station.

When is the first frost in Middletown, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21769 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21769?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21769 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Middletown 1.8 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Middletown, MD?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21769 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Spoolsville at the center of ZIP 21769: loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Middletown, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21769 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Middletown, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21769 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.